"Sanctify Yourself" is a song released by Scottish rock band Simple Minds as the second single from their seventh studio album ''

Once Upon a Time "Once upon a time" is a stock phrase used to introduce a narrative of past events, typically in fairy tales and folk tales. It has been used in some form since at least 1380 (according to the ''Oxford English Dictionary'') in storytelling in t ...

'' in January 1986. The song reached number 10 in the UK Singles Chart and number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Background

Singer Jim Kerr said about the song, "It came from

Jimmy Iovine James Iovine ( ; ; born March 11, 1953) is an American entrepreneur, record executive, and media proprietor best known as the co-founder of Interscope Records. In 2006, Iovine and rapper-producer Dr. Dre founded Beats Electronics, which produces ...

, who produced us. We had the riff for that. We all like gospel music and we're big fans of

Sly & the Family Stone Sly and the Family Stone was an American band from San Francisco. Active from 1966 to 1983, it was pivotal in the development of funk, soul, rock, and psychedelic music. Its core line-up was led by singer-songwriter, record producer, and multi- ...

, as well. They were quite an influence on that song."

Reception

'' Cash Box'' said that it "finds the friendly, warm sound of Simple Minds in full bloom."

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

1985 songs Simple Minds songs Song recordings produced by Jimmy Iovine Song recordings produced by Bob Clearmountain Virgin Records singles Songs written by Jim Kerr Songs written by Charlie Burchill Songs written by Mick MacNeil {{1980s-rock-song-stub